
Completed Restoration Projects
Since 2011 approximately 3.5 km of river restoration/ naturalisation has been implemented benefitting over 15 hectares of floodplain.
E-Newsletter
Long Preston Floodplain Project Trail
Download our map which shows two walks in the area and the locations of the 6 Long Preston interpretations boards.
Works in 2011 included:
Flood bank re-alignment, chute creation, revetment removal, bed sediment alteration (boulder clusters), palaeo-feature reconnection and general floodplain rejuvenation. Exclusion fencing was constructed to aid natural revegetation by limiting access to grazing cattle.
Works in 2012 included:
Upstream of Phase I
Inner bend re-profiling: Two floodplain scrapeson the left bank were created following landowner consent.
Chute channel creation: The right bank gravel bar was altered to create an inner bank flood channel.
Palaeo-channel reconnection and tributary deculverting: Several palaeo-channels were excavated and reconnected to the main channel over the right bank floodplain.
Flood bank realignment: The adjacent flood bank on the left bank was realigned 25m back across the floodplain.
Deflector removal: Four delta shaped rock deflectors and a pair of wooden centre deflectors were removed from the river.
Revetment removal: Several lengths of revetment were proposed for removal. Fishery concerns meant that much of this remained in place.
Pool-riffle reinstatement: Sections of the Trout Beck was dredged and the entrance culvert to the main river removed and replaced with a bridge crossing. 6 riffle areas were reinstated.
Channel blockage at the dry stone wall upstream was removed and pipe access installed to allow fish passage upstream.
Further works have been carried out on Trout Beck in 2013.
This has helped to ensure the beck does not impede flows further upstream.
Works have included two new large scrapes, the lowering of the gravel, the conversion of the pipe crossing into a ford in order to allow fish to pass upstream. Although no trout have been found in the beck yet it is hoped in future to work with the riparian owners to enable this to happen.
Fencing and planting: Limited fencing was conducted on the right bank and the new flood bank realignment on the left bank was fenced for tree planting.
Downstream of Phase IFlood bank realignment: 400 m of adjacent flood bank was realigned 30-50 m away from the channel edge.
Chute channel creation: A wide high level chute was cut across the floodplain surface.
Inner bend re-profiling: Two lowered sections of floodplain were constructed.
Fencing and planting: The new flood bank realignment on the left bank was fenced for later planting. Fencing continued through the next field around 30 m from the river isolating this area for tree planting.

More Information
Download
Full Interpretation Board
Useful Links
Record your bird sightings in
our area
www.eastlancsornithologists.org.uk
For information about the Long Preston area and community
RSPB Bird ID
Bird Identifier
Settle Community Website
Rathmell Community Website
Settle Tourist Information Centre
Natural England
Ribble River Trust
North Craven Historical
Research Group
North Craven Historical Website
Long Preston Gallery
Click here to view the gallery of the Long Preston Area.
Please click here to send us your photos of the Long Preston Area.
RSPB & BTO Bird Track
Help us to help the birds in our area, please visit Bird Track survey and get Long Preston on the birding map.
Project Audio
Full of lots of information to make your visit to Long Preston Floodplain Project fun and informative.
